Personal Pronoun HIM — How to Talk About a Man as the Receiver
Quick Answer
Use him when something happens to a man or boy — when he is the receiver of an action, not the doer. “Him” comes after a verb or a preposition.
Example: I saw him yesterday. (I did the seeing. He received it.)
HIM in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how it works:
- I called him yesterday. (I am the doer. He is the receiver.)
- Give him the keys. (You give. He receives.)
- Sit next to him. (After the preposition “next to.”)
When to Use HIM
Him is the object pronoun for one man or boy. Him comes after the verb (call him, see him, help him) or after a preposition (with him, for him, to him).
- After a verb (someone does something to him): “I saw him.”
- After a preposition: “Come with him.”
- Receiving things: “She gave him a book.”
- Being talked about: “They are talking about him.”
Easy way to remember: Him = receiver. After the verb. “He” does, “him” receives.
The Rule in One Line: Use him when one man is the object — the one receiving the action.
Real-Life Examples With HIM
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- Can you help him with his bag? (You help. He receives the help.)
- I gave him a present. (I am the giver. He receives.)
- Tom called him last night. (Tom = subject, him = object) (Tom is the caller. He is the receiver.)
- Are you talking to him? (After the preposition “to.”)
- I saw him at the supermarket. (I am the seer. He is the seen.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With HIM
The most common mix-up is using “he” when you should use “him.” “He” does the action; “him” receives it. “His” shows ownership and is a different word entirely.
Using he as the receiver
✗ I called he yesterday.
✓ I called him yesterday.
Using his instead of him
✗ Give his the keys.
✓ Give him the keys.
Using him as the subject
✗ Him likes coffee.
✓ He likes coffee.
How to remember: Him comes after. “Call him,” “see him,” “give him,” “with him” — verb or preposition first, then “him.”
Common “him” sentences: call him, see him, help him, with him, for him, give him.
Test Yourself: HIM
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. I saw _______ at the cafe.
2. Can you help _______ with the bags?
3. She gave _______ a birthday card.
4. I am sitting next to _______.
5. They are talking about _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned him — the partner of he. With this pair, you can talk about any man or boy in any sentence, no matter who is doing what.
Now look at the woman next to him. She is laughing at his joke. He likes her. Two pronouns for women just appeared — and like the pair you just finished, they each have their own job.
Next lesson: Personal Pronoun SHE — How to Talk About a Woman or Girl
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
